D-Black

Last updated
D-Black
DBlack at 3 Music Awards 22 50.jpg
Background information
Birth nameDesmond Kwesi Blackmore
Also known asDa Ghana Bwouy
Born (1987-01-12) 12 January 1987 (age 38)
Accra, Ghana
Genres
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • songwriter
  • record producer
  • entrepreneur
InstrumentVocals
Years active2009–present
LabelsBlack Avenue Muzik

Desmond Kwesi Blackmore (born January 12, 1987), [1] [2] known by his stage name D-Black, is an anglophone hip-hop and Afrobeat musician and entrepreneur from Ghana. [3] He has been described as "a successful entertainment mogul" [4]

Contents

Early life

D-Black attended Ridge Church School then Pope John Senior High School and Minor Seminary [5] before the University of Cape Coast to study B.A Economics and University Of Ghana, Legon to study BFA Theatre Arts/Music.

Personal life

D-Black was born to a Ghanaian mother, Adeline Boateng, and a Ghanaian-English father, John Derek Blackmore. He has three children. [6] D-Black has nine siblings. [7]

Career

In 2009, D-Black [8] began his career as an independent artist in the group D-Black & Kwaku T, releasing a group album, Target Practice. In 2010 D-Black and his rap partner both went solo. He went on to release three albums (Music, Love and Life, The Revelation and Lightwork), an E.P (Smoke and Mirrors) and a mix-tape (Hunger & Thirst). He won the 2011 BET Awards. [9]

He has collaborated with African acts including Davido, Mayorkun, M.I, Phyno, Ice Prince, Seyi Shay from Nigeria, Cassper Nyovest, Bucie, HHP from South Africa, Stanley Enow from Cameroon, Stella Mwangi from Kenya and Vanessa Mdee from Tanzania as well as Sarkodie, Shatta Wale, StoneBwoy, Castro, Bisa Kdei, Efya, King Promise, Kuami Eugene E.L, Kwabena Kwabena, VVIP and more from his homeland Ghana. [10] [11] [ citation needed ] D-Black's journey from a young dreamer in Accra to a celebrated musician and entrepreneur is a testament to his resilience, talent and unwavering determination. [12]

D-Black represents Ciroc Ultra Premium Vodka as its brand ambassador in Ghana. Additionally, he secured a marketing partnership with Black Sun Energy Drink. He fronts his own Black Avenue Clothing Line. He was the brand ambassador for The Rlg Brand of VIVA phones in the West African Sub Region in 2013. [2]

Black Avenue Muzik

D-Black is the CEO of record label Black Avenue Muzik, [2] with acts including himself, DJ Breezy, S3fa, and music producers Rony Turn Me Up and Paul Noun. [13] Former acts include Joey B, [14] Freda Rhymz, Dahlin Gage, Ms. Forson, Osayo & Nina Ricchie & Wisa Greid. [15] It won record label of the year at the 2018 Ghana - Naija Entertainment Awards in Lagos, Nigeria. [16] and was nominated for the record label of the year at the 2019 Ghana Entertainment Awards in New York. [17]

Other ventures

Black Avenue Clothing

Set up in 2012, this is a design company, marketer and importer of men and women's apparel. [18]

Livewire Events

Livewire Events is an events management company set up in 2015. In 2015 it produced the Bukom Banku vs Ayittey Powers boxing match at the Kumasi Sports Stadium. This included performances from Sarkodie, Shatta Wale and Efya. [19] Other notable events include the 2018 Kundum Festival Jam in Axim for the Ministry of Tourism. [20]

Black Avenue Films/TV

He produced the film Why Should I Get Married, starring John Dumelo, Maria Nepembe, Princess Shyngle, Eya, Prince David Osei, [21] and The EFGH Show hosted by Peace Hyde in 2015. [22]

Hospitality

D-Black owns Club Onyx, Oasis Lounge and La Maison restaurant.. [23]

Discography

Albums

Singles

Awards and nominations

YearEventAwardSongResults
2009Channel O Music Video AwardsBest West AfricanMoveNominated
2010Vodafone Ghana Music AwardsHip-Hop / Hip-life Song of the YearBreatheNominated [24]
Music Video of the YearBreatheWon
Museke African Music AwardsMusic Video of the YearBreatheNominated
African Music Awards, LondonMusic Video of the YearBreatheWon
Channel O Music Video Awards, South AfricaBest Hip-hopBreatheNominated
Best Music VideoBreatheNominated
Sound City Music Awards, NigeriaBest CollaborationSomebodyNominated
Best New VideoBelieveNominated
4SYTE Music Video AwardsBest Overall VideoBreatheNominated
Best Storyline in a VideoBreatheWon [25]
Best Directed VideoBreatheNominated
Best Collaboration in a VideoBreatheWon
Best Group VideoBreatheNominated
2011Ghana Music AwardsHip hop/ Hip-life Artist of the YearNoneNominated [26]
Hip hop Song of the YearGet on Da DancefloorWon
Songwriter of the YearSomebodyNominated
Collaboration of the YearSomebodyNominated
Album of the YearMusic, Love & LifeNominated
BET AwardsBest International Artist of the Year (Africa)-Nominated [27]
Ghana Gospel Industry AwardsAlternate Gospel Song of the yearSomebodyNominated [28]
Alternate Gospel Video of the yearSomebodyWon
Channel O Music Video AwardsBest African WestGet on Da DancefloorNominated
4Syte Music Video AwardsBest Photography in a videoSomebodyNominated [29]
Best Hip-hop VideoGet on da dancefloorNominated
Best Collaboration in a videoSomebodyNominated
Best Edited VideoGet on Da DancefloorNominated
Music Video AwardsBest African ActGet on Da DancefloorNominated
Ghana Hip-hop AwardsThe Next Big Thing Award-Won
Male Hip-hop Artiste(of the Decade)- [30]
Hip-hop album (of the Decade)-Nominated
Best CollaborationBreatheNominated
Hip-hop Artiste of the year-Won
2012Ghana Music AwardsHip-hop Song of the yearMy Kinda GirlNominated [31]
Music Video of the yearMy Kinda GirlNominated
Album of the YearThe RevelationNominated
HSH AwardsMost Influential Artiste-Won
Hip-hop World AwardsBest International Artiste-Nominated
Channel O Music Video AwardsBest West Africa videoFallingWon
MTN 4SYTE Music Video AwardsBest CollaborationFallingWon
2013Ghana Music AwardsArtist of the year-Nominated [32]
Song of the YearVeraNominated
Hip-life Song of the YearVeraNominated
Hip-hop Song of the YearFallingNominated
Hip-hop/Hip-life Artiste of the Year-Nominated
Ghana Music Awards UKSong of the yearVeraWon
Collaboration of the yearVeraWon
Channel O Music Video AwardsBest Africa WestVeraNominated [33]
2015Ghana Music AwardsHip-life Song of the YearSeihorWon
20164Syte Music Video AwardsMale Video of the YearKotomoshiWon [34]
Hiplife Video of the YearKotomoshiNominated
Best Directed Video of the YearKotomoshiNominated
Most Influential Artist of the YearD-BlackNominated
2017Ghana Movie AwardsSoundtrack the YearD-Black ft. EfyaWon
4Syte Music Video AwardsHiplife Video of the YearBottlesWon [35]
Male Video of the YearBottlesNominated
Photography Video of the YearBottlesNominated
201840 Under 40 AwardsEntrepreneur the Year (Hospitality)D-Black (Club Onyx)Won
2019Ghana Entertainment Awards AwardsArtist / Entrepreneur of the YearD-BlackWon
20223Music AwardsArtist of the YearHimselfNominated [36]
Afrobeats/Afropop Song of the YearEnjoyment Minister

ft. Quamina MP, Stonebwoy

Nominated
Hiplife/Hip Hop Act of the YearHimselfNominated
Album of the YearLoyaltyNominated

References

  1. 1 2 Ndetei, Chris (2020-12-02). "D-Black biography, music career, label, education, net worth". Yen.com.gh - Ghana news. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
  2. 1 2 3 ProfileAbility (2016-11-13). "D-Black Biography, Music, Videos, Booking". ProfileAbility. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
  3. "Who Is Desmond Kwesi Blackmore? –News Ghana". Newsghana.com.gh. 18 October 2015. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  4. "The Creative in the Numbers Game". 21 June 2019.
  5. "'I was sacked from Pope John Senior High School' - D Black". Pulse Ghana. 2021-09-24. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
  6. Owusu-Mensah, Jeffrey (2023-03-01). "She's beautiful: D-Black's 13-year-old daughter grows tall & big in new videos". Yen.com.gh - Ghana news. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
  7. "D-Black Biography: Age, Real Name, Wife, Children, Parents, Education, Siblings". 15 September 2022.
  8. Tbwoy, Blacc (2023-03-22). "Top 10 Ghaianain songs on Apple Music has no Ghaianain song on the list | D Black laments". Lawrence Postings. Archived from the original on 2023-05-29. Retrieved 2023-03-23.
  9. "D-Black". BET . Archived from the original on November 22, 2012.
  10. Dayile, Qhama. "Award-winning Ghanaian artist D-Black collaborates with Amapiano acts". Drum. Retrieved 2022-06-15.
  11. "New: D Black net-worth 2022". Technology Reviews Online Portal. 2021-12-31. Retrieved 2022-06-15.
  12. https://mdundo.com/a/231804 [ bare URL ]
  13. "Am Happy At D-Black's Black Avenue Muzik– Sefa". DailyGuide Network. 2019-06-24. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
  14. k.boahene@theghanareport.com, kobby Asamoah/ (2019-11-20). "D-Black made a mistake by signing too many artistes – Joey B". The Ghana Report. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
  15. "D Black confirms exit of 4 artistes from Black Avenue Muzik -". 21 June 2019.
  16. "Black Avenue Muzik emerge best record label at Ghana Naija Showbiz awards". GhanaWeb. 2018-11-08. Archived from the original on 2022-08-13.
  17. "D Black signs Wisa, two new acts to his label". 21 February 2017.
  18. https://newsghana.com.gh/d-black-to-launch-the-trendy-comfortable-and-affordable-black-avenue-clothing-brand /
  19. "Bukom Banku: I'll stop Ayittey Powers in Round 5". 17 December 2015.
  20. "Musical concert climaxes successful Kundum festival | Ghana Music | Events". 20 September 2018.
  21. "D-Black's Why Should I Get Married Premiere". GhanaWeb. 2014-11-23. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
  22. "Peace Hyde to host the 'EFGH' Show". GhanaWeb. 2014-01-05. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
  23. "Here are all the businesses owned by D Black". Pulse Ghana. 2021-09-27. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
  24. "Ghana Music Awards 2010: Okyeame Kwame Loses Bragging Rights To Sarkodie". GhanaCelebrities.Com. 2010-04-11. Retrieved 2022-04-20.
  25. "Good Year For D-Black With Several Awards Nominations" Ghanacelebrities.com
  26. "2011 Ghana Music Awards winners". GhanaWeb. 10 April 2011. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  27. "Best International Act: Africa". BET Awards 2001.
  28. "Nominees For Ghana Gospel Industry Awards Out". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 2022-04-20.
  29. Debrah, Ameyaw (20 November 2011). "2011 Vodafone 4syte Music Video Awards winners". GhanaWeb. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  30. Mensah, Nii Atakora (1 December 2011). "Full Nomination list for Ghana Hiphop & R&B Awards 2011...J-Town, Obrafour, Kweku T and more included". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  31. "Full List Of Winners At The Vodafone Ghana Music Awards 2012". News Ghana. 15 April 2012. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  32. Twum, Chris (27 February 2013). "Vodafone Ghana Music Awards 2013 Nominations List Finally Out". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  33. "D-Black shoots world class video for 'Change Your Life' in SA" Archived 2015-12-22 at the Wayback Machine Ghana Music.com
  34. "Full List of Winners At 4Syte Music Video Awards 2016". GhBase•com™. 31 December 2016. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  35. "Full List – 4Syte TV Music Video Awards 2017 Winners #4SYTETVMVAs17". 19 November 2017.
  36. Kotey, Nii (27 March 2022). "3Music News: 3Music Awards '22: Here are all the winners". 3Music TV. Retrieved 27 March 2022.